Key Lime Blues by Mike Jastrzebski Page B

I’ve been told dealing with them is a real pain-in-the-ass.”
    “I’ve never heard the wasp thing,” I said.
    “Personally I think it’s a bunch of crap, but who knows?” Destiny moved forward, shook herself, and knocked on the door before opening it. “Honey, I’m home,” she said in a little girlish voice.
    Destiny entered the house, but I hesitated to follow. Standing out on Tanya’s porch I realized I was more than a little interested in her. Since we’d ended the evening with her pissed off at me, I wasn’t too keen on walking into her house with Destiny. The last thing I needed was for her to get the wrong idea about Destiny and me. Somehow, I knew she wasn’t going to be happy when I walked through the door.
    “Cut the bullshit, Gail,” I heard Tanya say. “What the hell kind of trouble have you and Billy gotten into now? And don’t move another step until I get you a towel. You’re dripping all over the floor.”
    Before Destiny could answer, I took the plunge and went inside. “I could use one myself.”
    Tanya looked over, did a double take, and shot me an angry look. She wore little bunny slippers and a silky white robe. When she realized I was staring at her she adjusted the robe, tightening the belt around her waist.
    “This is great,” she said in a tired voice.
    “Sorry,” I said, even though I couldn’t think of a single reason why I should apologize.
    “Sorry. What the hell for? There’s no law saying you can’t hook up with anyone you want.”
    “This isn’t what it looks like,” I said.
    “Right—let me guess. The two of you happened to be passing by and decided to stop in for a cup of coffee.”
    “Oh stop being such a drama queen, Tanya.” Destiny took off her jacket. She tossed it, along with her purse, onto a wicker chair and walked over to the sofa.
    “Don’t you dare sit down until you dry off,” Tanya said. She ran over to the chair and snatched up Destiny’s jacket and purse. “I’ll hang these in the kitchen. The two of you wait here until I get back with those towels.”
    “Thanks,” I said.
    “Don’t thank me, but take your shoes off and don’t you dare take another step until I get back.” She started walking toward the back of the house and, when she passed Destiny, she added, “What the hell happened to Billy? I thought he was spending the night at your place.”
    “That worm took off and left me in a bad predicament,” she said. “Wes here saved my ass.”
    “And let me guess. Now he’s expecting to get a little of it?”
    “Don’t be so crass,” Destiny said. “First of all, we’ll only be here a couple of hours. And if it makes you feel any better, I’ll sleep with you and he can sleep in Alvin’s room.”
    Tanya didn’t reply. Instead, she kept walking until she reached the hallway where she turned right and disappeared. I heard her rummaging around and a moment later she walked back into the room carrying two blue towels. She threw one in Destiny’s direction and moved over to stand in front of me.
    She held the towel out so I was forced to reach for it, and when I took hold she gave it a little tug before releasing it to me.
    “What’s your problem?” Destiny asked. “Come on Tanya. It’ll be like old times. Like a slumber party or something.”
    “Old times my ass. You should have told me you were bringing Wes with you instead of Billy.”
    “I told you, Wes saved my life for Christ’s sake.”
    “So that makes him like a little puppy dog or something? You have to bring him home with you and feed him?”
    I was getting tired of playing the invisible man so I cleared my throat. When the women looked my way I said, “Maybe it would be better if I leave. I can come back for Destiny in the morning.”
    “Shut up,” they said in unison.
    “Look, it’s obvious my coming here was a mistake. All I wanted was to catch a couple hours sleep before we go see Elvis.”
    “This is about a damn psychic?” Tanya cast a